The clash of steel, the banners unfurled.
Regardless of the Xiao family's affairs, their army, these were truly heroic men who defended their homeland. They fought the barbarians with unmatched bravery, not a single man showing fear or retreating. In their eyes, their families and countrymen behind them were as heavy as Mount Tai; only by holding the northern desert and guarding the nation's gates could they ensure their families lived peaceful lives.
On the battlefield, swords are blind, and the barbarians' strength was not to be underestimated. They were born burly and were better adapted to the climate of the northern desert than the soldiers of Zun. In past close-quarters combat, Zun soldiers always suffered losses, sometimes requiring two or three men working together to kill a single barbarian.
But today, the situation seemed different. The barbarians were mentally disoriented, many with dark faces and wounds of varying severity. Some were even clad in surprisingly thin clothing, without armor, clearly having emerged in great haste.
Strike while the iron is hot!
This is a truth everyone understood on the battlefield. Without any urging from Shangguan, everyone raised their weapons and swung them at the barbarians. Surprisingly, they held a significant advantage this time, cutting down barbarians as if they were chopping vegetables, a truly satisfying feeling.
Riding his horse, Qi Yihan's gaze fell upon Li Man'er. She was still dressed as a man, without even wearing armor. A long saber in her hands seemed to possess a life of its own, like a dazzling silver dragon or a meteor streaking through the night sky. Though small in stature, her entire being pulsed with immense power, drawing all eyes.
Wielding a saber nearly as tall as herself, she unleashed an attack with the momentum of swallowing mountains, leaving no barbarians in her vicinity untouched. Where her cold light flashed, wails erupted, and heads rolled.
Qi Yihan could see Li Man'er fighting one against a hundred, and so could the barbarians.
Amidst the chaos, one man noticed Li Man'er.
This man was a minor leader in the barbarian's small banner camp, named Hachedorrang. He possessed exceptional martial prowess and a degree of cunning. When the explosion first occurred, Hachedorrang had been on patrol outside. Though he escaped, his younger brother was killed by the blast.
Hachedorrang was consumed by grief, but he was not a reckless man. He immediately organized his men to counterattack.
Because Li Man'er's explosive charges had been dispersed, they effectively severed communication between the barbarian camps. The scattered sleeping powder had also not been in vain; many who were not killed by the explosions were incapacitated by the powder, then either slain by pursuers or trampled by the horses of the arriving reinforcements.
Hachedorrang was filled with rage, unable to find a target for his revenge. The camp was filled with shouts of battle, but at first, he had seen no one. Worse still, his kinsmen had died without even seeing the faces of their attackers.
When the reinforcements arrived, the area was swarming with Xiao family soldiers. Hachedorrang had encountered them before and knew the initial attackers were not these men. It was only when he saw Li Man'er that he immediately concluded that this woman was responsible for blowing their camp to pieces.
She was the one who had destroyed the catapults before!
A wave of hatred surged within Hachedorrang, and he charged towards Li Man'er, his great saber in hand. The distance of thirty to forty meters was covered in moments, his saber slashing as he advanced. He reached Li Man'er and nearly severed Ah Si's arm with a single blow. Li Man'er, with lightning speed, pulled Ah Si back and pressed her long saber against Hachedorrang.
With a clang, their blades met. Li Man'er wielded a long saber, while Hachedorrang used a goose-feather saber. Their styles were distinct.
Hachedorrang's saber technique was fierce and direct, employing head-on attacks. Li Man'er's style was elegant and agile. Her slightly longer blade also offered an advantage. Her strength was not inferior to Hachedorrang's; in fact, it was slightly superior, a fact that caused Hachedorrang considerable disadvantage.
As their fierce battle raged, the sound of approaching horses suddenly echoed nearby. A silver-masked general swung his long spear, aiming directly for Hachedorrang's back.
Caught between two attackers, Hachedorrang, with only one saber, was thrown into a desperate struggle for survival. Li Man'er seized the opportunity, feinting with her long saber towards Hachedorrang's chest. He raised his saber to block, shifting his body slightly to the side, which presented Qi Yihan with an opening.
He twitched the bright silver spear in his hand, like a swift serpent, piercing Hachedorrang's ribcage. With a wet thud, Hachedorrang's blood splattered, and Li Man'er delivered a kick, shattering two of his ribs. He spat out a mouthful of blood and died.
Li Man'er looked up at Qi Yihan and blinked, asking, "May I ask which general I have the honor of facing?"
Qi Yihan retracted his silver spear, letting Hachedorrang's body fall to the ground, and said coldly, "We can discuss matters back in the city." His voice was the same slightly hoarse tone as before.
Li Man'er cupped her fist in salute. "Many thanks to the general for your timely assistance. With the barbarians heavily defeated, perhaps we should regroup and return to the city to discuss further."
"Precisely my intention."
Qi Yihan raised a silver whistle and blew it sharply. The Xiao family soldiers on the battlefield immediately dealt with their immediate opponents, fighting as they retreated, quickly withdrawing from the barbarian camp.
Li Man'er also instructed Ah Si to gather their men and return to the city.
Apart from Lu Fang, only three soldiers had died, and two others sustained minor injuries. It was a worthwhile endeavor.
"Return to the city."
Everyone, having long since accepted her leadership, joined the retreat, hurrying back to Mobei City.
The city was already in utter chaos. Li Man'er's raid on the barbarian camp had infuriated Li Nian. On top of that, news of Feng Wuyun's disappearance had spread, causing widespread panic among the residents of the Old City.
After finally achieving victory, the Xiao family had the audacity to interfere, nowhere to be seen during the fight but quick to claim credit.
The two factions exchanged accusations, nearly coming to blows.
The atmosphere in the Old City became tense, as if they were about to erupt into civil war even before the barbarians arrived.
Luo Sheng's head ached from the noise. He dared not offend the Xiao family, but the officers and soldiers of the Li family were no pushovers either.
He truly regretted his decision now, why had he listened to his family's persuasion and come to this desolate place? Wouldn't it have been better to stay in the capital, chasing pleasures, drinking, and watching operas?
"All of you, quiet down!" Luo Sheng roared. "Miss Li, given the current situation, what do you propose we do?"
Li Man'er blinked innocently, "You're asking me?"
Li Nian chuckled inwardly. His niece, after all, was most skilled at playing the innocent to hide her true intentions!
Before, when her power was hidden, perhaps everyone could be deceived. But now, who among those present would fall for such a trick?
"Naturally, I'm asking you. The Marquis is still unconscious, and enemy reinforcements are imminent. You need to come up with a plan." Although Luo Sheng was a dissolute young man, he was not foolish. He knew the authority Li Man'er now held among the troops, likely even surpassing Li Shu. His words would surely be heeded.